Ann Laidlaw neé Swinfield, 1957-2010
Ann was born in Sheffield and attended King Ecgbert Comprehensive School in Dore near Sheffield. After a year of day release studies at Stocksbridge College, Ann then worked for many years as a Receptionist/Secretary with employers including Benson Burdekin & Co and Excell-Thomas & Co Solicitors of Sheffield and then M.A.N. Ltd German Heavy Engineering in Sheffield from 1976 to 1986.
Then after a long term relationship broke down she moved to Wales and worked for Gower Chemicals in Swansea and Douglas-Jones & Mercer Solicitors in Gorseinon before deciding that she should use her undoubted abilities to enter higher education. She successfully completed an Access to Humanities course at Swansea College in 1993 and accepted a place at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth to study for a BA in English and American Studies.
After successfully completing the first year of her degree Ann ran in to financial difficulties and had to put her studies on hold and found work as a Receptionist/Secretary in Penbryn Halls of Residence in 1994 and 1995.
Ann met Ian Laidlaw in 1997 and moved in together to a house in Glanwern, Borth in 1999. Ann and Ian were married in June 2002 in Argostoli Town Hall in Cephalonia, Greece.
Ann was not happy about marrying in the UK as she wished to have complete control on who might attend her marriage. Ian’s brother and family and Ann’s mother, Betty and her second husband, Charles Pace, attended the ceremony. The day after the marriage Ann asked for a divorce!
Ann and Ian separated in 2004 and finally divorced in 2006 after she had bought her new home in Brickfield Street, Machynlleth.
It is said that the most stressful life events include marriage, divorce, the death of a loved one and moving home. In the last decade Ann had gone through all of these, some of them more than once. Each event visibly impacted on her. Her parents, Tom and Betty, who had always provided a reliable escape for Ann when life in Aberystwyth became too much, each fell ill and died. Her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Darcy, developed cancer and he, too, died.
For the last four years Ann had worked in reception at Glan y Mor Leisure Park.in Clarach and this year had become involved on the sales side of the business. During this time she had found companionship with Gary Davies who worked on the Entertainment side of the Leisure Park. Earlier in 2010 Gary had bought for Ann a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy they called Rory to provide a welcome companion for Ann.
Ann was only 53 years old when she died on the 10th December 2010.
This summary page will be added to as required.
Ian Laidlaw